[elmariachi]

I made another 20 mile run tonight and the car ran great just as before the shroud, 82C/180*F on the gauge down the highway, 95C/200*F at the redlights. Of course, if I sat there 5 minutes, it would probably spontaneously combust. There is no way I could drive around town here on a sunny Houston day, so its not acceptable like this.

I do think the additional holes in the t-stat and the straight-water made a difference to the positive. It doesn't heat up as quickly when existing the freeway as it did before, and it didn't vomit anything tonight when I pulled into the garage and shut it off. and I topped up the expansion tank when I left.

Based on all the feedback and the findings today, I am leaning towards either needing dual fans and a different type shroud, a bigger/better radiator, or both to manage the heat at idle. Turns out more Hurricane owners than I realized have battled this issue with FEs and this PRC 2-row radiator. Sounds like most have managed to contain it, but I need more peace of mind than constantly staring at the temp gauge and having to plan my trips around outside temp.

I still want to pursue the pulley issue too, but short of buying everything that comes along on eBay, I am not sure how to explore that option. Any feedback there on dimensions appreciated. One thing is for sure, you REALLY learn a lot about these cars and engines having to face a problem like this.

I had a bad dream last night it got so hot it burned the doors off of the car while idling in the driveway. I am hopeful those dreams give way to dreams of burning up endless miles of Texas blacktop at high speeds with bugs in my teeth.